Musical pair to release new tracks

Despite the social ills faced by young people on a daily basis, Ma-G and Black Child found comfort in music.

The two young artists have a similar background, where they grew up in the absence of father figures during their childhood.

Black Child, whose real name is Mxolisi Kalashe, didn’t finish school due to life challenges which came about as a result of his father’s death.

“It happened while I was still an infant and therefore I was raised by a stepfather, with whom I was never on good terms,” said the 32-year-old Raggarhyme artist.

He said he was never properly raised and during his school days he had to go to school barefoot.

His mother was not working at the time and poverty forced him to fend for himself.

“I was naïve and I took a wrong path. My entry level crime was shoplifting at the age of 13 and I proceeded to more serious crimes,” said Black Child.

At the age of 16, Mxolisi was arrested and served time at a correctional services facility.

“I regret a lot and I have learnt my lesson. I am a better person now, who feels remorse for people who got hurt along the way,” said Black Child.

When this young man left prison, he had only the resolution to change his ways and make an honest living.

With no education, Mxolisi had only one hope which was to use his God-given talent to survive – music.

“I coined my own genre, called Raggarhyme.”

Black Child has now collaborated with a female Tembisa hiphop artist, Ma-G, also known as Mama-G.

Mama-G was also raised by a single mother.

“My farther didn’t want to be part of our lives. He chased us away, told my mother to go away with her dogs (children),” said Gugulethu “Ma-G” Mhlongo.

Ma-G grew up in a family of five children.

“Growing up, I was a sickly child and sometimes I would not attend school for 12 months due to my sickness. Doctors were unable to diagnose the problem,” said the 22-year-old Ma-G.

She said at the age of 13 the illness became worse and she suffered until she was admitted for intwaso (sangoma training) at the age of 16.

“After the training period I could not continue with school but at least thereafter I was not sick anymore,” said the hiphop queen.

She said her music background gave her something to cling onto and use as a source of income to make ends meet.

They have been acquaintances for quite some time.

Their respective backgrounds have strengthened the bond between them which eventually resulted to a true friendship.

“We sing about our experiences and the plight of young people in light of unemployment and other social ills,” said Ma-G.

Black Child said they are both good as individual artists, but together they can offer powerful music.

“We are working on two songs called Bade Lami (My friend) and Mama Wami (My Mother).

“Through these songs we want to celebrate our friendship and cherish our common background, while acknowledging the challenges that made us the strong artists we are today,” said Ma-G.

To support the artists call 084 452 9729.